Ladle for molten metal.



S. T. WELLMAN. LADLE FOR MOLTEN METAL. APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1912.

Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL T. WELLMAN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

LADLE FOR MOL'IEN METAL.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL T. WVELLMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland. in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Ladles for h/Iolten Metal, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

In the manufacture of steel the fluid metal is drawn from the converter into a ladle in which it is conveyed to the molds, and from which it is poured into the molds. Each of these ladies is provided with a nozzle out of which the fluid metal may be discharged, and a stopper for closing the nozzle, which stopper consists commonly of an iron or steel rod covered by fire brick sleeves, and having at its end a fire brick or graphite plug for engaging with the nozzle sleeve which may be made of similar material. In all of the heretofore known constructions the molten metal in the ladle covers the nozzle, and a great part of the stopper. Not infrequently, as a result of this fact, the stopper sleeves and plug are burned off by the hot metal with the result either of allowing the metal to escape, or of making it diflicult, if not impossible, to draw the stopper. Sometimes the metal chills and solidifies around the nozzle, so that the stopper cannotbe withdrawn, and this, obviously, occasions a loss of metal.

The object of this invention is to minimize, if not altogether eliminate, the chance that any of these things may happen; and the invention consists of a ladle hung from trunnions at its sides, and provided with means for limiting the downward movement of the rear end of the ladle, and having its nozzle arranged at the front end of the ladle in such position that when the rear end of the ladle is depressed and the ladle is in what may be called its carrying position, this nozzle is wholly above the fluid metal,- this nozzle opening being nevertheless placed in such position that when the front end of the .ladle is lowered so that it assumes what may be called its pouring position the nozzle opening will be submerged and at substantially the lowest point of the ladle. It is obvious that when a bucket is so constructed the stopper is not immersed in the fluid metal when the ladle is in the metal carrying position, and that neither the stopper nor the nozzle sleeve is liable to be burned off bythe hot metal, nor will the chill- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 31, 1912.

Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

Serial No. 700,588.

ing of the metal be around the stopper and nozzle, as has been the case heretofore.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a sectional front elevation of the ladle embodying the invention when it is in the metal pouring position. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof when the ladle is in the metal carrying position. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the ladle when in the metal pouring position. Fig. 4 is a similar section when the ladle is in the metal carrying position; and Fig. is an enlarged sectional view of the nozzle and stopper.

The ladle has two sides 1 and 2, a front end member 3, a rear end member 4:, and a bottom, whose front portion inclines upward toward the front end, where it becomes merged with the front end member, and whose rear end 6 inclines relatively upward toward the rear, where it becomes merged into the rear end member. It is a matter of no consequence whether the front and rear parts of the bottom are approximately straight when viewed from the side, as they are shown in the drawing, whereby they make a perceptible angle to one another, or whether the two parts of the bottom are merged together in a curve which disguises the line of division between them. For certain reasons, however, it is preferable that the exterior of the rear part of the bottom shall be fiat as shown so that the ladle may rest upon this partthereof when filled, and in carrying position. This makes it possible to conveniently carry the ladle on a car from place to place. The nozzle opening in which the nozzle sleeve 8 is fitted is at the front end of the front bottom member. lVhen so located, it is above the top of the molten metal in the ladle, when the ladle is in the carrying position as described and the rear part 6 of the bottom is substantially horizontal.

9 represents the stopper which is of familiar construction, and 10 represents the lever pivoted to ears 11 at the top edge of the front end member of the ladle and connected with the stopper so that the same may be conveniently lifted out of engagement with the nozzle sleeve.

Projecting from the sides of the ladle near the top edge thereof, but in front of the center of gravity of the ladle are two trunnions '13 by means of which the ladle may be suspended from a suitable bail 15.

14 represents a chain or cable having connection with the rear end of the bucket, so that the downward tipping thereof may be eliminated.

The ladle may be substantially filled when in the carrying position shown in Fig. 4, and when it contains all of the molten metal which it can contain without running over the rear end member, the nozzle sleeve and stopper are still wholly above the surface of the molten metal. When the ladle has been carried to the molds, its rear end is lifted, so as to bring the nozzle opening to substantially the lowest part of the ladle. This causes said nozzle opening and lower part of the stopper to be submerged in the metal. The operator may now, by manipulating lever 9, lift the stopper and allow the metal to flow out of the nozzle.

It will be understood that the ladle will have a lining of fire clay or some equivalent material; and that the nozzle sleeve is held a in the opening in any suitable or well known bottom which is adjacent the front end member, a stopper for closing said nozzle opening, means for operating said stopper, a bail having a pivotal connection with the sides of the ladle in front of the center of gravity thereof, and means connected with the rear end of the ladle for limiting the downward tilting thereof.

2. A ladle for carrying molten metal, com- )risin side members a front end member L thereof, means connected with the rear end i of the ladle for limiting the downward tilting thereof, the rear portion of the bottom of the ladle being flat externally.

In testimony-whereof, I hereunto aliix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL T. VVELLMAN.

Witnesses:

E. L. THURSTON, A. J. HUDSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

